Funding Opportunities
Through our work, we occasionally have the chance to support organizations in various research, programmatic, training and technical assistance (TTA), and other endeavors through competitive funding opportunities. All active public requests for proposals (RFPs) can be found below, as well as an archive of past such solicitations.
Proposals submitted in response to solicitations are reviewed by CUNY ISLG staff and may also be reviewed by advisory committees, thought partners, and stakeholders from partner organizations, as further described in the specific solicitation.
We invite proposals that present a range of experiences, expertise, strategies, and methods in the pursuit of stated goals. In line with our organizational goals and values, we strive to support initiatives that are culturally competent and serve the communities we work in.
For questions related to specific solicitations, please check the solicitation for contact information. For more general information about our open funding opportunities, email info@islg.cuny.edu.
Unsolicited materials are read at our discretion.
Current Opportunities
Safety and Justice Challenge Legacy Website & Brand Refresh
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Institute for State & Local Governance at the City University of New York (CUNY ISLG) has been engaged to launch a new website that documents the legacy of the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), a national initiative from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (the “Foundation”).
The SJC, launched in 2015, is a 10-year “big bet” from the Foundation aimed at reducing the overuse and misuse of jail incarceration across the United States. It does so through a strategy grounded in the work of more than 50 cities and counties around the country pursuing data-driven, equity-focused, and community-informed solutions to diagnose drivers of justice system issues, develop and implement systemic changes to safely address them, and document and share lessons and models with the field.
As a decade of investment, partnership, and research winds down, we are seeking a partner to develop and implement—in conjunction with CUNY ISLG, the Foundation and select SJC partners—a new website that documents the story of the SJC and its learnings, including a look-and-feel brand refresh denoting the new legacy phase of this 10-year “big bet”. This website will also house the many research, policy, and practice publications that have been produced under the initiative.
This partner will have demonstrated experience working with and creating mission-driven brands, developing robust content libraries, and using data visualizations for impactful storytelling.
This selected agency (“Agency”) and any subcontractors would lead work including:
A “legacy website” that documents the impact made by the initiative and the lessons learned, alongside data visualizations and a comprehensive, filter/tagged content library that houses the many SJC publications and content developed over the past 10 years.
A corresponding brand “refresh” that bridges the existing SJC brand with a new legacy look/feel and a messaging framework and copy that denotes the legacy phase of the initiative.
Budget
The total budget allocated for the design, development, and launch of the new website, along with the brand refresh, is up to $300,000. This amount is intended to cover all aspects of the initial project, including (but not limited to) discovery and strategy, design, development, testing, content migration, web hosting, accessibility compliance, integration with existing systems, staff training, and immediate post-launch support.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants must be Agencies with demonstrated experience in designing and developing brands and websites for nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organizations. The selected Agency should have a proven ability and clear, realistic plan to translate a robust library of content/research into engaging, accessible, and visually compelling UX/UI.
SUBMISSION OVERVIEW
This RFP was released on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and will be open through Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Questions and clarifications about the RFP should be submitted in writing to CUNY ISLG at sjclegacy@islg.cuny.edu no later than Friday, November 21, 2025. Responses will be posted here, accessible via https://islg.cuny.edu/funding-opportunities#sjc-legacy-rfp, no later than November 26, 2025.
Final proposals must be submitted by December 23, 2025 via sjclegacy@islg.cuny.edu. CUNY ISLG will select finalists by mid January 2026. Agencies selected as finalists will be contacted to schedule a virtual interview before selecting the final Agency. A final selection will be made by January 31, 2026. The main proposal narrative should be submitted as a single PDF, along with any applicable proposal attachments (e.g., portfolio examples). If you experience any technical difficulties accessing and/or submitting your application please email SJClegacy@islg.cuny.edu.
Eligible agencies are invited to submit proposals for consideration. Proposal narratives should not exceed ten (10) double-spaced pages, 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
Project Timeline
The project phases are as follows:
Build, Test, Launch: Throughout 2026, the Agency and CUNY ISLG will design, build, and test the website, with the target of December 2026 for the website launch.
Additional Content: CUNY ISLG will continue to populate the website through 2027 as additional content is published, and final jail trends data are tallied. Agency will provide support as needed.
Active Maintenance: CUNY ISLG will maintain the website, including the Private Digital Community, through December 2028. Agency will provide support as needed.
Static Maintenance: In 2029 and beyond, CUNY ISLG may choose to continue to host the website, but it will be stagnant, and the Private Digital Community will cease.
Additional Background
About the SJC: Seeking to raise national attention to the problem of overuse and misuse of incarceration in local jail systems and to catalyze innovation and reform at the local level, in 2015, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation launched the Safety and Justice Challenge. The SJC supports a diverse network of 57 cities, counties, and states across the country in using data to develop and implement safe, equity-focused, and effective decarceration strategies that are tailored to local issues and drivers; it represents an ambitious effort to generate transformative change in how localities conceive of and use jail incarceration. After a decade of impact, the SJC is winding down at the end of 2026.
About CUNY ISLG: The Institute for State & Local Governance at the City University of New York (CUNY ISLG) is a research and strategic partner for public institutions across the country, from state and local governments to philanthropic and small community-based organizations. Our portfolio includes criminal legal reform research and analysis, grant management, professional development fellowships for policymakers, and data and analytic capacity-building, among other areas. See more here.
CUNY ISLG plays a leading role in data collection, analysis, and evaluation activities across the SJC that form the foundation of policy and practice work in sites and inform the broader research field, serving as a central liaison between local jurisdictions, external researchers, technical assistance providers, and the Foundation. In this final phase of the SJC, CUNY ISLG has been engaged by the Foundation to shepherd the SJC brand into a new “legacy” phase and to launch a legacy website that documents the initiative’s findings and archives SJC-produced publications and content.
Past Opportunities
SEEKING HOST ORGANIZATIONS FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FELLOWS
Thank you for your interest in this program. The application period for this grant has concluded.
See the press release for selected recipients.
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (CUNY ISLG), in partnership with the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB), seeks proposals from community-based organizations (CBOs) to serve as host sites for the inaugural class of Civic Engagement Fellows. Civic Engagement Fellows are CUNY students entering their senior year in fall of 2025. CBOs selected through this solicitation will act as host sites for the Fellows – they will mentor and supervise Fellows, and work with them to build new and/or enhance existing civic engagement activities in their local communities.
As a host organization, selected CBOs will host their Fellow full-time during Summer 2025, part-time during the 2025-2026 school year, and full-time for one year following 2026 Fellow graduation from their CUNY program.
CBOs selected for this Initiative may be granted an award of up to $56,000 per Fellow per year, over a two-year-period, for a total amount up to $112,000 per Fellow. This does not include compensation for the Fellows, which will be funded directly by CFB and RF/CUNY ISLG. This funding can be used for general operating support, personnel services to provide mentorship and supervision to Fellows, OTPS items in support of civic engagement activities (e.g. renting meetings space, designing and printing information fliers, etc.), and other costs for the organization.
ELIGIBILITY
CBOs applying for this Initiative must serve communities in Bronx Community Districts 1 through 7 (or have a clear and feasible plan to serve those communities). The following are eligible to apply for funding through this grant opportunity:
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (e.g., community organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, etc.).
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are required to have a fiscal sponsor in place, and the fiscal sponsor should serve as the applicant.
Small and grassroots organizations are encouraged to apply. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, multi-lingual agencies, and organizations led and/or staffed by people directly impacted by the criminal legal system are also encouraged to apply.
DOCUMENTS
Q&A (posted June 5, 2024)
DEADLINES
The solicitation was released on May 12, 2025.
Proposals were due by 11:59 PM on June 13, 2025 and should be submitted to info@islg.cuny.edu.
The deadline to submit questions about the solicitation is 11:59 PM on May 28, 2025. Responses to the questions were posted on June 5, 2025.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
ABOUT CUNY ISLG
CUNY ISLG holds and manages the contracts of the grantees. This includes managing the solicitation and contracting process and providing guidance to and oversight of award recipients. ISLG also offers capacity building support to grantees. Funds are awarded through the Research Foundation of the City University of New York (Research Foundation). CUNY ISLG is a good governance think-and-do tank dedicated to improving government effectiveness and efficiency. Established in 2013, CUNY ISLG works with state and local governments, higher education, public institutions and CBOs across 60+ jurisdictions in the U.S. Relevant to this opportunity, CUNY ISLG’s work includes designing and implementing Fellowship programs for elected officials and legislative Chiefs of Staff, in addition to creating learning spaces for CUNY students and offering training and technical assistance (TTA) and grantee management services to CBOs.
ABOUT CFB
The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to make a greater impact on their elections. CFB’s mission is to make New York City (NYC) democracy more open, transparent and equitable, by reducing barriers to participation, providing access to the information and resources New Yorkers need to vote or run for office, and amplifying the power of small-dollar contributions to reduce the influence of money in politics. CFB has a specific City Charter mandate to increase voter participation among underrepresented communities. That work includes direct outreach and engagement activities aimed at educating voters in priority neighborhoods, the matching funds program, and supporting community and civic engagement.
Grassroots Policy Incubator
Thank you for your interest in this program. The application period for this grant has concluded.
See the press release for selected recipients.
The CUNY Institute of State and Local Governance (ISLG), in partnership with Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity), seeks proposals from grassroots leaders and organizations to incubate an approach to address a policy gap/challenge facing NYC communities. This incubation process will invest in local leaders and/or small grassroots and community-led organizations that have established relationships, trust, and legitimacy and have first-hand knowledge of the community in need. See the press release for more information.
The goal of this solicitation is to create an incubation process that harnesses the expertise of grassroots leaders, taps into their knowledge of community strengths and challenges, and provide the partnerships and other resources to find the solutions.
NYC Opportunity and ISLG anticipate funding up to $40,000 per applicant, for up to three applicants total. The grant offers funding for participation in a six-month incubation process, during which the applicant will partner with CUNY ISLG to identify and analyze the reasons why the challenge exists and develop an approach or recommendations to address it. The process may involve community-based conversations, meeting with experts in relevant policy fields, and monthly meetings with a learning community of grantees. The outcome of the incubation is to create a deliverable (e.g., curriculum, training, policy recommendations, etc.).
Eligibility
The following are eligible to apply for funding through this grant opportunity:
Non-profits (e.g., community organizations, faith-based organizations). Nonprofits without 501c3 status are required to have a fiscal sponsor in place, and the fiscal sponsor should serve as the applicant.
Individuals. Individuals will need to be incorporated, such as through an LLC.
Annual average organizational or LLC budget of less than $500k over the past three years.
Documents
Deadlines
The solicitation was released on August 22, 2024.
Proposals are due October 3, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST and can be submitted here.
The deadline to submit questions about the solicitation was September 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST. The Questions & Answers document was posted on September 16, 2024. It is the responsibility of the applicant to remain up-to-date regarding all addenda issued for the current solicitation.
The anticipated contract start date is for Winter 2024/25.
Additional Background
ABOUT CUNY ISLG
CUNY ISLG holds and manages the contracts of the grantees. This includes managing the solicitation and contracting process and providing guidance to and oversight of award recipients. ISLG also offers capacity building support to grantees. Funds are awarded through the Research Foundation of the City University of New York (Research Foundation).
ABOUT NYC OPPORTUNITY
The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity) is the funder and partner of this initiative. NYC Opportunity helps the City apply evidence and innovation to reduce poverty and increase equity. NYC Opportunity works to improve the systems of government by advancing the use of research, data and design in program and policy development, service delivery, and budget decisions. NYC Opportunity works collaboratively with City agencies to design, test and oversee new programs and digital products, and produces research and analysis of poverty and social conditions, including annual Poverty Measure, which provides a comprehensive picture of poverty in New York City.
Community-Based Restorative Justice Grant Progam
Thank you for your interest in this program. The application period for this grant has concluded.
See the press release for the selected recipients.
CUNY ISLG, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), is seeking proposals to implement the Community-Based Restorative Justice Grant Program in New York City. This solicitation offers funding to incorporate or expand restorative practices and approaches in New York City, focusing investments on small and grassroots organizations that have historically faced barriers to accessing public funding.
MOCJ and ISLG anticipate funding approximately 15 proposals total, up to $300,000 per award, across three categories of programming.
The three categories of programming are:
Category One: Design and implement community-based restorative justice programming that is culturally responsive in one or multiple settings/populations.
Category Two: Offer training and technical assistance on restorative justice principles and practices to organizations/individuals for the purpose of designing and/or implementing restorative justice activities in the community.
Category Three: Design and implement a restorative justice paid fellowship for individuals interested in doing restorative justice work within their communities.
Documents
Updated Solicitation as of 11/29/2023 (see the original version here)
Questions & Answers, posted 11/29/2023
Updated Budget Template as of 11/29/2023 (see the original version here)
Community Restorative Justice Investment Report and Recommendations
Deadlines & important dates
Proposals for this RFP were due by Friday, December 22nd, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The deadline to request the support of consultants available to assist with compiling and completing the application, November 28th, 2023, has passed.
The deadline to submit questions about this solicitation was November 22nd, 2023. See Questions & Answers for that information.
Answers to all questions will be available as an addendum to this solicitation posted on the CUNY ISLG website. It will be the responsibility of proposers to remain up-to-date regarding all addenda issued for the current solicitation.
Anticipated Public Award Announcement: May 2024
Anticipated Contract Dates: April 2024 – June 2025
Additional Background
Following the City of New York’s announcement of its plan to close the jails on Rikers Island, the City worked with the City Council to engage community stakeholders on the plan and to solicit ideas for investments in community safety. In October 2019, this process resulted in several Points of Agreement (POA). The POA guided the City to fund several initiatives to enhance community safety and re-envision justice. One of those initiatives was to increase funding for community-based restorative justice programming for programs that are both affiliated with the criminal justice system and those that operate independently in the community.
To prepare for this investment, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and the Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI) convened a 22-person Advisory Committee, most engaged in restorative practice or brought other expertise in funding, grantmaking, and program design. The Advisory Committee recommended focusing investments on small and grassroots organizations that have historically faced barriers to access to public funding.
MOCJ is engaging the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance to serve as the management entity for this solicitation and to oversee and support grantees selected for this program.